Being involved in a car accident is not only unexpected but can also be overwhelming if you’re unprepared for the situation. The following tips can help you navigate the stress of an accident and minimize the disruption it may cause to your life. Remember, the best time to read this is before you need it!
Evaluate and record the damage
Call 911 immediately if the vehicle damage is extensive and injuries have occurred. In the case of a minor car accident, start collecting relevant collision details:
- How the collision occurred
- Where it happened, including street names
- When it happened, including date and time
- Weather conditions at the time of the collision
- Road conditions
- The speed you were traveling
- Any injuries to you, your passengers, or the occupants of the other vehicle(s)
- The other driver’s information including:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance information
- License plate number
- Year, make and model of their vehicle
- If there are witnesses, include their names and contact information
- If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle from different angles, as well as the accident scene to assist with liability
- Retain any dash camera footage if your vehicle has a camera installed
This is important information to have when filing the claim and when reporting the accident to the police.
Remember to keep all the documents and details, including the towing bill and the police report.
Contact
Contact your broker as soon as possible. If the accident occurred outside of your broker’s regular office hours, you can report your claim to Unica’s 24/7 Emergency Claims Service Line at 1-866-864-1113.
Your claim
Your claim starts the moment you call, not hours or days later. In the case of an auto claim, our After-Hours Emergency Claims Service can assist you with a car rental if required and refer you to one of our preferred shops–although you always have the right to choose one of your own. With regard to a property loss, an Adjuster and Contractor will contact you within 30 minutes. The Adjuster will provide an update to Unica within 30 minutes of attending your property. Unica will always be aware of what your claim status is.
Review
Remember to review your policy often and carefully with your Broker to ensure you are familiar with all the deductibles, coverage limits and replacement values. If you are at all confused or have any questions about your coverage, contact your broker. The IBC provides more information about making a claim here.
Unica’s Claims Advantage
When you protect your home, vehicle or business with Unica, you’re not just getting coverage but our best-in-class claims service as well. At Unica, we’ve built our reputation by putting people first. We believe in supporting the insured throughout the claims process and to never make excuses. From the moment you contact us, we’ll handle your claim as quickly and as worry-free as possible.
